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In with the Sea Turtle Hatchlings and out with the Yearlings!

(Virginia Beach, VA) Yesterday, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center aquatics staff welcomed its newest charges, four loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings, to the Sea Turtle Nursery exhibit. And today, the nurturing staff says farewell to the four that they raised to yearling status in the past year.

The "baby" sea turtles were hatched from a relocated nest at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge on August 14, 2013. The turtles were retrieved by the Aquarium staff that day and they have been caring for them behind-the-scenes. When they arrived, they were as big as a two AA batteries, weighing .04 lbs. pounds. Currently, the turtles are all over a pound in weight which is about the weight of one medium sized tomato. As in previous years, the turtles will be closely monitored and their routine physical exams will evaluate their growth and development. Additionally, these turtles are expected to participate in swim studies with researchers from Old Dominion University.

The Sea Turtle Nursery has been empty for 15 days and the staff has been preparing for their new arrivals. Curator of Fishes Beth Firchau said, "Between groups of sea turtles, the exhibit is given a complete overhaul to ensure the best possible environment for the new hatchlings."

On November 3, the previous residents were removed from the nursery and placed in a special holding aquarium to prepare for release. "While there, they practiced swimming and searching for food so that when they are released to the ocean, they know how to survive," said Firchau. "I like to think of our nursery as a head-start program, we give them time to grow from hatchlings to yearlings so they are better equipped to beat the tough odds that they have in the wild." The turtles currently weigh between 4-5 lbs. and are about 12" in carapace length.

Today a staff member will accompany these turtles as they are transported to Williston, N.C. for a rendezvous with Dr. Matthew Godfrey the North Carolina State Sea Turtle Program Coordinator. He will transport the turtles down to Morehead City, N.C. for transport by U.S. Coast Guard ship to the Gulf Stream on Friday.

"Prior to release each turtle was given a final examination by our vets," said Firchau. "They were pit tagged for identification last Saturday and given transmitters as well. The public will be able to track their movements on www.seaturtle.org."

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